Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Division of research and collections: the scientific staff working in the division of r&c added approximately 574 Natural History specimens to the more than 5 million specimens and artifacts housed in our collections, hosted more than 209 visiting research scientists, hosted more than 471 Museum members on behind the scenes tours of the collections and laboratories, and responded to more than 781 requests for expertise that ranged from specimen identification to advice on animals in their backyard. The staff published 48 scientific documents in report format or in peer-reviewed journals. The staff participated in or helped organize public programs that led to more than 242 direct interactions between the Museum's research staff and the public. The division has undertaken a large effort to digitize all of its millions of collection objects in order to make these important specimens available to the public as primary records of life across time and space or images. The division conducted extensive field research across northern Ohio, the great lake regions, africa, and canada, all of which support conservation efforts and build a deeper understanding of the Natural world. Numerous scientific discoveries include the discovery of new hominin specimen that transformed our understanding of early human evolution, a major work on the taxonomy of south american praying mantises, and new data on avian hybrids.

Exhibits: the Museum self-produced and opened the award-winning "fossil hunters: the search for our past and hosted "ultimate dinosaurs" in the large exhibit space, kahn hall. In the fawick lobby gallery, the Museum self-produced and opened "finding lucy: our first steps in discovery." In addition the Museum began a regular rotation of self-produced "pop-up" exhibits in wade lobby which included "mammal mysteries of south america and "shark in the shale."

Education: the Museum offers unique learning opportunities including hands-on workshops, gallery displays, health programs, planetarium shows, live animal programs and self-conducted exhibits, outreach and award winning interactive videoconferencing programs. The Museum provided on-site school programs for 27,599 students and delivered outreach programs to 12,113 students and teachers during fiscal year 2020. The Museum was also able to engage 7,022 students and teachers from 10 states and 3 countries via the interactive videoconferencing studios. Free admission was provided to 8,687 people through free days and the discovery pass program.